How to get a horse to carry his head not so low?

[froglander]

Sorry if that question sounds awkward, wasn’t quite sure how to word it.

My gelding and I tend to go back and forth between western and dressage. If we are riding with “contact” his head will be up more. But on a looser rein he tends to carry his head low, like peanut roller low at times. I’ve tried sending him more forward, and sometimes his head will come back up a bit, but then it starts to feel like I am nagging him. Lately I have been trying to get better at picking up a “soft feel” but that is still a work in progress.

Any thoughts on what I could try/should be doing to get him to have a more natural head carriage?

Here’s a short clip I took today to try and show what I mean, but it’s kind of an awkward angle so not sure if you can really see anything.

http://youtu.be/Q2UdT7vebxQ

[kookicat]

I peeked at a couple of your other videos. Looks like he’s quite on his forehand and dragging himself a long a bit.

[Cindyg]

My horse does this. He will often move with his head below his knees, really just above the ground. I have found that I get different results in different bits. Mine will LEAN into snaffles. You might experiment a little and find out whether there’s a bit that encourages a more upright posture. Otherwise, it’s about athletic development. Ask me next year whether I’ve had any success in this area.

[Doctracy]

More leg. Lots and lots of leg. Spur,too. It’s all about leg and seat in western. Really a lot like dressage, except the horse must have self carriage. You may not be ready to throw the reins away,yet.

[Beverley]

The one you posted and Cody’s jog look pretty natural to me and not close to a peanut roller, given the low speeds and off contact.

[froglander]

I’m wondering lately if he is sore somewhere as canter and canter transitions are not happy lately. Although he will generally still trot out nice. Maybe just focus on him moving out more and leave a loose rein?

[Beverley]

If you school on contact and off during your western sessions, including shortening and lengthening strides, you might get what you are looking for over time.

[froglander]

[QUOTE=Beverley;7986045]
If you school on contact and off during your western sessions, including shortening and lengthening strides, you might get what you are looking for over time.[/QUOTE]

Okay, will try that. Might give the poor guy a week off and see if he is any happier after that.

[Doctracy]

You may want to get some of Tina Kaven’s videos. She uses a lot of dressage type training for Westdr pleasure, or did, until she had to retire due to injury.

[froglander]

Not going for western pleasure, but thanks